Last week, the video game Black Myth: Wukong, developed and published by Chinese studio GameScience, attracted 2.3 million concurrent players in just two days. Statistics show that since its release on August 19, the game has sold 4.5 million copies, ranking second among all games ever on Steam, the global video game platform.
With its explosive launch, Black Myth: Wukong has made a big splash for GameScience. Not only that, its global popularity also marks an important turning point for the Chinese gaming industry in particular and Asia in general.
Black Myth: Wukong is the hottest game at the moment.
For decades, Hollywood movies, Disney and Pixar animations, and Sony games have been the favorite entertainment for billions of people around the world and will probably remain number one for a long time to come. With the great influence of American culture, consumers in countries speaking many different languages have absorbed American popular culture and aesthetics through these publications.
However, the appearance and resounding success of Black Myth: Wukong is showing a promising future in which the beauty of Asian culture and traditions will become a “leverage” for many entertainment products originating from this region.
The plot resonates
Not only is Black Myth: Wukong highly appreciated for its graphics and character development, it also receives many compliments for its “strange yet familiar” plot. So, how can a story from the 16th century be an important factor influencing the success of a game in the 21st century?
The answer is certainly not because it is derived from a classic Chinese novel, but because the details distilled from this story are suitable for many audiences from all cultures.
Eye-catching graphics are just one of the game's many plus points.
The story of Wukong (Sun Wukong) is based on the classic novel “Journey to the West” in which Tang Sanzang and his disciples Sun Wukong, Pigsy and Sand Monk together overcame 81 hardships and successfully obtained Buddhist scriptures.
With courage, wisdom, justice and team spirit, the four master and disciples finally overcame the difficulties. This inner unity against formidable external forces is the strength that the world desires.
In Black Myth: Wukong, although it does not retell the story of Tang Monk and his disciples, letting the main character go through similar ordeals, integrating teachings about controlling excessive desires and fighting against unfair treatment has made this game have a special highlight and received a lot of sympathy and love from the general audience.
In other words, the game's themes touch on other deep-seated issues such as economic inequality, environmental degradation, and exploitation by powerful industries, making the story more than just a game, but also a reflection of what's going on in today's society.
The story of Wukong in the game is told in a completely new direction.
Cultural pride
The emphasis on traditional Chinese culture has left a special mark on both Eastern and Western players. In the game, instead of the large fortresses and churches often seen in Western video games, a series of cultural details such as Chinese temples, pagodas and village halls or small details that have been carefully researched such as the act of “burning incense” to the local god to save the game have also left viewers overwhelmed and endlessly admiring how this game is built extremely tightly on cultural roots.
Unique way to “save game” makes many players excited
In the game, many wide-angle cinematics have shown picturesque and extremely realistic scenes with mountains, mist, lush forests and Buddha statues,… These landscapes, originating from the aesthetics of Chinese painting and architecture, create a special space and atmosphere for players.
Without compelling content or the right platform, a game or entertainment product will fail to attract attention. What makes content compelling? It is content that demonstrates a deep understanding of the product itself and a deep understanding of the target audience.
China seems to have finally mastered the formula for creating a global hit. By delving into its own cultural heritage and recognizing its beauty and value, developers in the country’s cultural industry have realized that their secret toolkit lies not far away but within their own traditional culture.
The setting in Black Myth: Wukong is meticulously built.
In addition to the game publisher's special investment in graphics, storyline, culture,… the development of Black Myth: Wukong in particular and the multimedia technology industry in China in general is also the result of promotion and support from the Chinese Government.
Indeed, despite its widespread reach, “soft power” still relies on “hard technology.” And these popular games reflect China’s shift and commitment to investing not just money but also time in building technologies that can create memorable and globally relevant stories.
Source: Asia Times
